Pant's Return, Variation in Spin Department- SWOT Analysis of DC for IPL 2024
Delhi Capitals will be aiming to win their first title in IPL 2024 (X)
A team's home venue that sits at the heart of the country yet they are to win the title even once. However, the Delhi Capitals have reasons for " roar macha" as their skipper Rishabh Pant is set to feature after 15 months hiatus from professional cricket following a life-threatening road accident.
The Delhi Capitals had a horrendous season last year and finished at the second-last position just above Sunrisers Hyderabad. They had a good outing between 2019-2021 when they made the playoffs three times on a trot, and even played the final against Mumbai Indians in 2020. However, the last couple of editions have been haywire for the Delhi-based franchise and let us review their strategy building ahead of the seventeenth IPL season.
DC Full Squad for IPL 2024
Batters: Rishabh Pant (c), David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Shai Hope, Yash Dhull
All-rounders: Vicky Ostwal, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Swastik Chhikara, Sumit Kumar
Pacers: Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson
Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Pravin Dubey
Strengths of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2024
David Warner will act as the leader of the dynamic DC top-order (X)
Dynamic top-order
The Capitals boast a dynamic top-order in the batting unit with David Warner and Prithvi Shaw likely to open the batting followed by Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Shai Hope, and Tristan Stubbs. The top five consists of rich blend of right and left-handed combinations that may act as an added advantage to the team.
The side consists of players who have the ability to win matches single-handedly with the bat. Warner has done it in the past for SRH, Shaw can be destructive if he gets going while there should be no doubt on the ability of Mitch Marsh. Although Rishabh Pant is coming off a massive forced career break, the southpaw was seen hitting single-handed sixes during practice sessions.
One of the best spin twins
Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have evolved into fine cricketers with the passage of time and the duo handled the middle over phase and the powerplay brilliantly in the last season. Axar and Kuldeep complement well and has the ability to refrain the opposition from going big shots, thereby increasing more chances for wickets. If not the best spin duo in IPL 2024, the Indian pair is one of the best in modern-day cricket.
Weakness of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2024
Rishabh Pant will be seen in charge of the Capitals in IPL 2024 (X)
No designated wicketkeeper
The captain of the side, Rishabh Pant will not be taking the gloves for the upcoming IPL season and this puts a big void in the unit. The last season Abishek Porel kept the wickets for the side but his batting was not too impressive. Although the Chandannagar-bred had a good domestic outing for Bengal, the management may look for better options in the big stage. The likes of Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs, and Kumar Kushagra are other available options, and the think-tank may opt for the latter in this case.
Lack of a grafter
If one looks at the best playing XI for the side, the Capitals lack a possible anchorer. Although there has been plenty of debate regarding the role of a grafter in T20 cricket, it is important to have a middle-order batter who can soak pressure under tricky situations and steer the team ahead. Although Shai Hope can be named one of those individuals with the quality of anchoring the innings, his position in the playing XI is not certain.
Opportunity of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2024
Prithvi Shaw will have a chance to redeem himself as a batter in IPL 2024 (Source: x)
Shaw-Sunk Redemption
The Mumbaikar has been going through tough times since the past couple of years. He did play the County Championship last year and the Indian domestic tourneys for Mumbai, Shaw is yet to meet the expectations of Indian fans. There is no doubt on his ability and that should be the reason why the Capitals retained him in the mega-auction a couple of years back. Despite rumours of Shaw being released ahead of 2023 IPL auction, the management put faith on the young gun, and therefore its the best time for sinking Shaw to rise and redeem.
Threat of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2024
Plenty of injury-prone players
The Capitals have a plethora of injury-prone cricketers with the likes of Anrich Nortje, Jhye Richardson, Ishant Sharma, Lungi Ngidi and Mitch Marsh. It is important that the franchise manages the workload of the these players effectively in a competition that goes for almost two months. Nortje missed the 2023 World Cup due to injury and will be eyeing a return in IPL. His backups- Richardson and Ngidi have records of various injuries in the past.
SWOT Analysis of DC for IPL 2024 (Source: OneCricket)
Predicted XI of DC for first match of IPL 2024
Predicted XI of DC for their first match in IPL 2024 (Source: x.com)
*Harry Brook will not be a part of the IPL 2024. Given the current squad Shai Hope or Tristan Stubbs might take his place in the playing XI.
Delhi Capitals Squad Evaluation
Batting
Experience: 7.5/10
Power: 9/10
Depth- 7/10
Finishing- 6.5/10
Rating- 7.5/10
Bowling
Experience- 8/10
Powerplay Potential- 8/10
Middle-overs Potential- 9/10
Death overs- 8.5/10
Rating- 8.4/10
Overall Rating - 7.95/10
Prediction for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024
The Capitals have a good bowling unit if their first choice cricketers get to play all the matches. If not any injury mishaps, the top-order batting looks dominant but they lack finishing touches. The unit have plenty of talent have a few amateur individuals in certain departments with respect to the big stage and the conditions. The Capitals look like the perfect underdogs this year and can shock with variable results.
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